Movies opening this week

November 5, 2009 12:36 am

A thriller? The new Michael Jackson movie is here, and fans get a unique look at the artist.

"THE BOX" (PG-13) A suburban couple receives a simple wooden box that a mysterious stranger tells them will bring them $1 million with the press of a button. The problem: Pressing it will cost someone they don't know his or her life. With Cameron Diaz, James Marsden, Frank Langella.

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, some violence and disturbing images. 115 min. [RF, RA, M]

"DISNEY'S A CHRISTMAS CAROL" (PG) This is an animated version of Charles Dickens' timeless tale of an old miser who must face ghosts of Christmas past, present and yet-to-come, all trying to bring kindness to his cold and closed heart. It's 3-D in some theaters, with the voices of Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Cary Elwes, Robin Wright Penn, Bob Hoskins.

Rated PG for scary sequences and images. 96 min. [RF, RA, M]

"THE FOURTH KIND" (PG-13) This is a fact-based thriller about an unsolved mystery in Alaska, where an extraordinary number of people have disappeared over the past 40 years. With Milla Jovovich, Elias Koteas, Will Patton.

Rated PG-13 for violent/disturbing images, some terror, thematic elements and brief sexuality. 98 min. [RF, RA, M]

"THE MEN WHO STARE AT GOATS" (R) A reporter in Iraq thinks he may have the story of a lifetime when he meets a former member of the Army's "First Earth Battalion," a unit that uses paranormal powers in their missions. With George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Jeff Bridges, Kevin Spacey, Stephen Lang, Robert Patrick.

Rated R for language, some drug content and brief nudity. 93 min. [RA, M]